Need Dana 44 info

[90Xjay]

If you have been following the thread in the XJ forum, you know that I, ole 90 have embarked on an adventure to find a Dana 44 in a wrecked XJ or Commanche truck. What I need from you is info in what to look for.
I have heard so many many different things about which year models came with a Dana 44 if they had factory towing. Also, I think
I can ID a Dana 44 from the diff cover. Any photos or info to help ID one like vin #s would also help.

I hope to find one for me and one for Mingez!!!!
I looked at three wrecked or blown motor XJs today, and no luck.

90

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

'87-'91 XJ and MJ I believe, after looking at so many D35's you'll surely recognize a 44 when you see it. Keep up the search, they're still out there.

If you don't mind changing the lug pattern or using a spacer to adapt the lug pattern back to stock, you could use a rear D44 from an early '90s Isuzu Amigo. They've got disc brakes stock.

 

[90Xjay]

RE: high beams work, low beams won

Thanks BH,
I know that they were available,but my stock 1990 with factory tow hitch still came with a 35..

I would love to do a disk brake swap, would I have to change out the master cylinder?

 

[jps4jeep]

RE: Re: RE: Unlimited Rubi, Hemi, 37

Obviously a XJ will swap right in, but a MJ unit will need the perches switched to the other side (SUA not SOA)

 

[90Xjay]

Are you talking about just a bottom mount perch vs a top mount?

That would not be too bad to do.
:?

 

[90Xjay]

TFI and Emissions

Well, I had a bad day today.

I took the afternoon and went to 2 big wrecking yards and looked at over 20 XJs from 85 thru 96 and not one Dana 44. I found mostly Dana 35's alot of them with the diff covers off like they had failed and probly lead to being sold to the wrecking yards. I did find one or two Chrysler 8.25's on the later models.

I personally know where about 10 more XJ's are, I hope one of them has a 44.

90

 

[TwistedCU]

RE: Re: RE: New wrenching injury!

What gears do you have?

 

[yjdave]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Unlimited Rubi, Hemi, 37

you can always go with a ford explorer rear end. Same bolt pattern, as strong as a d44, easy swap................

 

[90Xjay]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Unlimited Rubi, Hemi, 37

TwistedCopper Wrote:
What gears do you have?

Dana 35/ 3:55 ratio

yjdave wrote:
you can always go with a ford explorer rear end. Same bolt pattern, as strong as a d44, easy swap

What is that rear end exactly, I would like to know more about the actual swap out and what to expect.

 

[Sully]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Why can

Those 8.8's are tough and I think they will be alot easier to find than the dana 44. Good luck with the search!

 

[yjdave]

I believe mid 90's (drum) late 90's (disc)get the disc. almost same width,same pattern, very strong(unless you got v8 and 38's) Will probably come with a limited slip and maybe luck out on the ratio

 

[bchcky]

RE: FOR SALE : MINT : (4)Brand New 15x10 Cragar Soft 8s

there are issues with the shaft sleeves rotating. quick solution is that people put 3 welds around them and weld them to the pumpkin, thus preventing any rotation. i'm sure if you visit www.naxja.com there are plenty of people there that have done the swap.

 

[TwistedCU]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: New wrenching injury!

If you plan on re-gearing when you do it, go for the 8.8 out of a '97 or later Explorer. I doubt you'll find one with 3:55 gears, but if you are going to regear anyway, it is strong and the disc brakes make it a really nice upgrade.

If you don't want to re-gear, the 8.25 would be real easy to find with the 3:55 gears, as they are the most common found in XJ's (almost all of the 4.0L/Auto transmission XJ's have them). Just remember to get it from a '97 or later XJ to get the stronger one Although re-gearing would be limited in the future, 4:56 is a good low ratio.

The Ford 8.8 would definitely be your best bet, but it will certainly be more expensive having to re-gear. At least if you find one with 4:10 gears you'll only need to re-gear your front D30.

Personally, I'd ditch the D44 idea altogether as they are so hard to find and would be more $$$ too.

 

[TwistedCU]

Another thing, the Ford 8.8 will give you many more choices in lockers/LS's. There are some available for the 8.25 rear but not nearly as many.

 

[88Wrangles]

Another thing, the Ford 8.8 will give you many more choices in lockers/LS's. There are some available for the 8.25 rear but not nearly as many.

Quite a few of them even came with Limited Slips in them...so if that's what you're after (instead of a locker), look for one of those--with the Lim. slip.

The disc brakes definetly make them something desirable, among other things :wink:

 

[redrooster]

Sorry, I didn't check out the XJ thread.
If you are swapping for more shaft strength then it seems like with all the talk of regearing and welding perches, it may be a more viable solution to just buy a set of chromoly shafts and be done with it.
I would personally go for a Ford 9" from a fullsize Bronco. The lug pattern is different though.

 

[TwistedCU]

Re: RE: when your so called friend stands you up...

He wants locker(s) and has a D35 rear...

 

[Junkpile]

RE: Oil Change

I've NEVER seen a XJ/MJ version of the D44 in a junkyard.....

 

[mingez]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Unlimited Rubi, Hemi, 37

I've NEVER seen a XJ/MJ version of the D44 in a junkyard.....

X2

And I even went to the Jonkies (Junkyards) in Juarez. There are tons of things down there, and real obscure, but no XJ d44's.

 

[90Xjay]

RE: Gen Chat Mods... one more

Counting my run the other day, I have personally looked at over 30 XJ's and not one D44. I did find an Isuzu Amigo with a D44 though. I have not heard much about how hard that swap is.